Just in...Chemical Brothers: Born in the Echoes

     A release from big electronica icons like The Chemical Brothers, The Crystal Method, Daft Punk, etc...is always a good thing since they come around rarely more than once every four to five years. This time around we are graced with some new material from The Chemical Brothers that strays some from their previous characteristic work. As a whole the songs on their 8th album, Born in the Echoes, shift almost seamlessly from one to the next and contain a lot of vocals patterned over each other. The cover is bizarre almost like it belongs in caves or temples from South American native Indians (Mayans, Aztecs or Incans).
     I am not well versed enough, honestly, to suggest what genre of electronica this album lies under. I am fairly certain that it lies within the realm of Electro House but feel that it contains elements of Techno because of how melded together and driving the rhythms are as a whole. I think this is a smart album. I think The Chemical Brothers in the past created music that was perhaps more adventurous but perhaps harder to understand. Born in the Echoes is much more accessible as it uses dance elements more readily. I'm not sure all the songs are mind-blowingly good either, however. I think, rather, they lay solid groundwork for other artists and DJ's to sample, formulate their own mixes and create conversation more or less like electronic music has always intended to be used.
     Some of the highlights for me are:
1) "Sometimes I Feel So Deserted" - just a perfect opener
2) "Go" - almost rap/hip hop at times, but kind of like a work out track too
3) "Under Neon Lights" - includes St. Vincent's singer Annie Clark
5) "I'll See You There" - great drumming beats and sort of droning bagpipe type synth instrument throughout. Great track.
7) "Reflexion" - starts a bit slow but has Radiohead reminiscent synth sounds that are interesting
    Go out and listen to the entire album, deluxe edition included on Spotify. Sorry no streams I could embed a track from for the 'Monthly Sample Tracks'. Enjoy!